Farmer's Market Fa La La!

I'm not sure how or when it started but one year, our lovely neighbors (boy, did we get lucky!) started leaving a lovely winter wreath on our side of the wooden gate that separates our two properties. One mid-December morning I was enjoying my cup of coffee while looking out our dining room window and noticed the pretty wreath gracing our gate.

It didn't take long to figure out who had put it there since they had one almost identical on their side of the gate. Not only was it super thoughtful, but the wreath, garnished with purple winter berries was beautiful.

It wasn't until I spied Michelle Adams' exquisite winter wreaths, made entirely from foraged cones, berries, grassy plumes and bent twigs at the Irvington Farmer's Market a couple of years ago, did it occur to me we should reciprocate. So for the last two years, I've bought one of Michelle's wreaths and snuck it on to their front door knob.

No words are exchanged during these stealth operations, btw, which makes it that much more fun. I tell you this because Michelle Adams will be at the market this week. So, if you were so inclined to start a mystery wreath tradition in your neighborhood...I highly encourage it!

Speaking of sharing... Jenny Fernandez of Aya Hummus made a "market board" with some goodies she collected at the last market. She sent me a picture. Note her limited special: a roasted red pepper hummus, just the right warm tone and for the holidays.

We have another packed market this Saturday, our last market before Christmas. If you're still trying to get through your gift list and are hoping to shop local, we can definitely help. The aforementioned wreaths make a lovely gift for anyone, not just neighbors. We have not one but two potters joining us: Chloe Sikirica Pottery and Mermud Pottery, both with very distinct styles but stunning results. A new woodworker from Yonkers is also bringing wooden bowls carved out of fallen local cherry, maple and walnut trees. And, since mask-wearing is not going away anytime soon, we invited Leah, from Ztudio Zsa Zsa with her well-constructed, reversible masks in fun fabrics like Marimekko and Liberty of London. She also makes stylish bags with pop-culture fabric references (RBG, The Golden Girls etc)

Is someone on your list a mixologist? Pick up a bottle of Kas Spirits and some Heimat Liqueur to broaden their cocktail repertoire. Both Marushka and Ute are happy to give you cocktail advice and recipe cards. Ditto for Yoni from Neversink Spirits, maker of artisan, small-batch gin and brandies made with local pears and apples.

Ilise Harris, a longtime HFM shopper, was waxing poetic about Food is Med's golden milk blend which she drinks daily, as part of her "wintering" routine. I asked her to tell us about this ritual in her own words

"A cup of Golden Milk has become my autumn afternoon ritual. It warms me up, calms me down, and seems to give me the stamina to look another covid winter straight in the eye. The holy trinity of organic turmeric, cardamom, and black pepper is a healthy and delicious base from which to conjure an extremely satisfying hot beverage.

I like to mix a ¼ tsp. of Golden Milk Mix, and a ½ tsp. of raw cacao powder into a cup of hot milk. It’s perfect. It has kept the blues, the cold, and the afternoon snack monster at bay. Great with nut milk and a hit of honey for a more traditional brew, or added to black tea for a simple Chai.
I’ve been giving the packets away as little love presents, adds Ilise. "They make ideal stuffing stuffers or belated Hanukkah gifts." Or host gifts, too.

Do you have a market item/ingredient you can't live without? Tell us about it. Send me a paragraph about how you use it and we'll include it in the market blog.

I know some of you can't live without Larchmont Charcuterie's smoked duck breast. Daniel has had trouble sourcing local duck for this product but he recently got lucky and now has this popular item back in stock. He is also bringing some festively-wrapped "charcuterie" gift baskets which even include an Opinel wood-handled pocket knife for saucisson slicing on the fly.

We have a cool guest vendor this Saturday: Campanelli Poultry Farm.

They are a staple at the Pleasantville market and are known for their flavorful chicken sausage, meatballs, burgers and whole chicken of course. And, they are also bringing goose!If you've ever wanted to cook a Christmas goose this is your chance and this is your recipe! For an easy week-night dinner, pick up some of their chicken sausage to serve alongside this white bean soup.

Since our next scheduled market falls on New Year's Day (a FIRST Saturday of the month) we will not be open. However, we will have a pop-up market on Thursday, Dec. 30th from 10 t o 2 p.m., in the same location, so that you can all start the New Year with market goodies in your fridge, pantry and bread-boxes.

How festive! Bien Cuit is bringing holiday Stollen, the traditional German yeast bread that is baked with dried fruits, candied citrus peel, nuts and spices.

And, members of the Hudson Valley Singers choir will regale us with holiday music. They will have extra sheet music so anyone can join in the fun.

Happy holidays to all!